Improvement in shipping-cases



H. s. SPRA-GUE. Shipping-Case;

No. 213,140 Patented ar. 11, 1879;

RS PHOTOLITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, D. 0'

UNITE 'rarns HENRY S. SPRAGUE, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

IMPROVEMENT IN SHIPPING-CASES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 213,140, dated March11, 1879; application filed December 7, 1878.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY S. SPRAGUE, ofDetroit, Wayne county, Michigan, have invented an Improvement inShipping-Gases, of which the following is a specification:

The nature of this invention relates to certain new and usefulimprovements in shippin g-cases, more especially designed to contain andprotect from accidental injury tin cans in which liquids are shipped;and the invention consists, first, in a packing-case wherein arecombined an outer case having two open sides, an inner can-containingcase swinging on fixed pivots in the outercase, (as contradistinguishedfrom vertically-slidin g trunnions,) and a cover so hinged to the top ofthe outer case that it can be closed over the inner case, and whenopened can be swung into a vertical position; in the means forsupporting the inner case swinging on fixed pivots from the closedbottom of the outer case, so as to relieve the strain on the trunnions,in the combination and construction of parts to form a closed chamber inthe bottom of the outer case, which is disclosed when the inner case isswung on its pivots; and, further, in the combination of the principalparts composing my packing-case, as more fully hereinafter explained.

Figure 1 is a perspective and front view of the outer and inner casesand inclosed can, the inner case being partially swung upon itstrunnions, as required, to pour out the contents of the can, anddisclosing the chamber below the inner case. Fig. 2 is a like view fromthe rear. Fig. 3 is a vertical central section of the outer and innercases. Fig. 4 is an end elevation, partially in cross-section, of theinner and outer cases, showing the formerin dotted lines swung upon itstrunnions at right angles to the latter, such being the requisiteposition when it is desired to empty the inclosed can of its contents.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, AA represent the ends of the outer case, secured at their lower ends tothe bottom B. The sides are partially formed by the narrow pieces 0 G,which are secured to the lower ends of the ends A A and to the bottom B.A cover, D, is hinged to the top of one of the ends A, and when closedis secured by hooks to or other suitable devices to the top of theopposite end A.

The strap-hinge a, which hinges the coverto the outer case, is attachedto the outer surface ofone' of the ends 'A, and projects above such end,and is fastened to the top of the cover, so as to hold the samesecurely, and at the same time (by being extended above the end A) toallow the cover, when opened, to be swung into a vertical positionagainst the end A.

The inner case is composed of sides E E, ends F F, and bottom G, securedtogether in rectangular form like a box, without a cover, except thatthe sides E E project below the bottom, as at b, beveled off, as shown,to form a support or feet, which, when the inner case is in place and ina vertical position, will rest upon the bottom B of the outer shell, andin part relieve the strain upon the trunnions which secure the two casestogether.

H H are trunnions, which pass through the ends A A of the outer case andthe sides E E of the inner case, in any desired mannerwhich will allowthe inner case to swing freely upon the trunnions, and that will holdthe two cases together. The means which I prefer to employ is shortbolts, as shown in Fig. 3, their nuts being upon the outside, andcountersunk, as shown. By-this construction a chamber, 1, is formedbelow the bottom of the inner case, in which advertising-cards or othersmall articles can be packed with safety, as this chamber is notdisclosed until the top is unhooked and thrown back, and the inner casepartially swung, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Packing cans are usually rectangular in form, and provided with ahandle, (I, secured to their tops. In order to use this handle,

when the cases are closed and fastened for shiplieving the weight uponthe trunnions. The

cover is then secured and the whole is ready for shipment.

When it is desired to draw an y portion of the contents of the tin can,the cover is unhooked' I ing two open sides and a closed bottom, withand thrown back, when the operator can swing the can and inner case uponits trunnions and draw through the spout k or other suitable device.

I do not claim the construction of the tin can, as such is in commonuse; but

hat I claim as my invention is 1. A packingcase wherein are combined anouter case having two open sides, an inner case swinging on fixed pivotsin the outer case, and a cover hinged to the outer case, so that it canbe closed over the inner case, and when opened can be swung into avertical position, substantially as described and shown.

2. The combination, with the outer case, having two open sides and aclosed bottom, of the inner case, swinging on fixed pivots in the outercase, and having downwardly-projcctir beveled sides, which rest upon thebotto of the outer case, substantially as decribed and shown.

3. The combination of the outer case, havthe inner case, pivoted in theouter case and having its bottom raised above the bottom of the outercase, and the pieces 0, closing the lower ends of the open sides, andforming a chamber, I, in the bottom of the outer case, which isdisclosed-when the inner case is swung upon its pivots, substantially asdescribed and shown.

4. The packing-case described, consisting of the outer case, having twoopen sides closed at the bottom by pieces 0, two closed sides, A, and aclosed bottom, 13, and provided with hinged cover D, adapted when openedto be swung into a vertical position, and the inner case, pivoted in theouter case and having open top and downwardly-projecting beveled sidesI), constructed, arranged, and combined substantially as described andshown.

HENRY S. SPRAGUE. Witnesses:

GHAs. THURMAN, CHAS. J. HUNT.

